Joan Laurie Thornton

Joan Laurie Thornton, age 72 of Warren, died Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren. She was born May 11, 1948 in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late John Bradford and the late Sara Anna (nee: Keenen) Yohe.

If you were to ask most folks who knew Joan to describe her in one word,…quite affectionately, their response would come back, “workaholic.” Though not derived from the clinical sense of the word, for Joan it was more of a daily fulfillment in answering the call of joy and appreciation for helping others and keeping her faculties sharp. Joan simply “loved to work.” And not only was she active and involved, she was also dedicated to her work as a Retail Office Administrator with the furnishings giant, Art Van Furniture with whom she was employed for over 40 years. Truly a “Worker Bee” in all aspects of her job and projects of her own making, Joan was not one to remain idle for very long. Possessing energy that would make that pink, drumming bunny pale in comparison, she was definitely devoted to work in every sense of the word.

In the occasions she managed to find a little time away from working, Joan was an avid reader who found immense joy in curling up with a good book and getting lost in its pages. Chapter-after-chapter, reading provided Joan the sweet release and escape from the realm of responsibilities, affording her the opportunity of unwinding and getting refreshed for the tasks ahead. Joan was also a devout fan of the television network, HGTV. Influenced and often guided by their expertise and know-how, Joan soaked up a plethora of knowledge over the years as she listened to and watched the experts make it all look so easy. For anyone who has tuned in to the network, they can easily attest to the attraction it offers,…and Joan was one of their biggest fans.

But when mentioning the term “biggest fan,”…there was one thing that tremendously outshined Joan’s appreciation for HGTV,…and that was the passion she held for her favorite football team, the Pittsburg Steelers. For years, Joan has been their most devout fan,…and they, her Gridiron Heroes. Whenever a game was being played, you’d find Joan glued to the TV and cheering on her team.

Yet of all she held precious, Joan’s greatest passion was that reserved for her family,…particularly that of her two children and two grandchildren. Together, each in their own way, they provided Joan a joy beyond expression and a love beyond measure, and lit up her life with each moment shared making the memories that will last a lifetime. She touched a multitude of hearts and souls in her journey this side of Heaven,…may she now enjoy the blessings on the other side as she rests safely in the arms of God.   

Joan was the beloved mother of Kelly (Joseph) Niszczak and Sean Cronin. Loving grandmother of Connor Joseph Niszczak and Declan Thomas Niszczak. Dearest sister of Linda Sue Yohe.

A Memorial Visitation will be held for Joan on Thursday, March 18th from 5-8 pm, with an evening Memorial Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren, Michigan.

Memorial donations are welcomed to the American Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033.  (www.alz.org)

Please share memories of Joan at her guest book below.